Friday, March 10th – OBITS (4)

Charles (Peewee) Arthur Bailey, Jr.

Mr. Charles (Peewee) Arthur Bailey, Jr., of LaGrange, passed away on March 7, 2017 at the West Georgia Hospice. Mr. Bailey was born on June 27, 1945 in LaGrange to the late Charles A. Bailey, Sr. and Annie Ruth Walls Bailey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Tressa Bailey. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, was a Truck Driver by trade and attended Shoal Creek Baptist Church. Survivors include his son, Tommy Bailey of LaGrange; sister, Alice Dale Brown of LaGrange; extended family, friends, and special recognition to his dog, “Little Bit” who he called his constant companion and love of his life. Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 1:00 pm at the Shoal Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Anthony Hovey officiated. Interment followed at the Shadowlawn Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will be accepting flowers or donations made to the Shoal Creek Baptist Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.higginsfuneralhomes.com/

Higgins LaGrange Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

MarArthur Hurston

Mr. MarArthur Hurston was born December 5, 1942 in LaGrange (Troup County) Georgia to the late, Tom and Louise Hurston; the youngest of five children. He was affectionately known as “Mac” to most family and friends and “Pop” to his children and grandchildren. Mac professed his love of Christ at an early age and joined St. Paul C. M. E. Church in LaGrange, Georgia. Mac attended Ethel W. Kight High School in LaGrange. From an early age, he enjoyed sports, especially football. He would proudly recall playing football during High School and continued to love the sport for the remainder of his years.

He eventually left LaGrange and moved to the Bronx, New York where he gained employment at Kinney Parking Garage in Manhattan, New York as a Parking Attendant. During his many years at Kinney, he was very popular and took pride in being well liked by his customers, co-workers, and supervisors. Mac had no problem with speaking up for himself or his co-workers about any work issues he had a problem with, which was very respected by all. It was in New York where Mac met the love of his life, Martha Maholmes, affectionately known as “Mot”. Mac would tell anyone he knew about his “ol lady” and proudly brag about her, even when he complained about taking her to work every Saturday morning, which was one of his off from work days. Their union produced a son who is considered Mac’s twin, Marcus Hurston. Mac, who was known to be a very dapper dresser, was well loved by anyone who knew him. He was never one for loss of words, regardless if the person he was talking to kept up with his changing conversation topics. Mac could tell a story that stretched the truth, but he had a way of making it believable. His great sense of humor showed in his conversations. His ability to speak with anyone, regardless of their age or culture was admirable. Mac loved his family, whether blood or non-blood. He was a great provider as well as a great protector. Mac retired from Kinney’s Garage in 2013. He planned to enjoy his retirement by doing some of his favorite hobbies, to include fishing, traveling to the south, and relaxing at home watching his favorite Westerns or anything sports related. Mac was unable to fully enjoy his retirement. He became ill in 2014 and had to undergo a number of medical treatments and hospilizations. However, he demonstrated positivity, strength, and endurance as he faced each medical challenge. In typical Mac fashion, he had no problem expressing his dissatisfaction with any service he received and his health advocacy was well respected by his health providers. When Mac’s health declined even more, he still managed to comfort his family by saying, “I’m alright” when he obviously wasn’t’. Mac was a fighter until the end, battling his ailments with dignity and strength. All throughout his battle, his family, especially his love Mot, was always by his side.

On Monday, February 27, 2017 God called our beloved Mac’s name, and he answered. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings. Mac leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Martha Maholmes; sons, Marcus Hurston and Tony Hurston; daughters, Bernice Morris and Mavis Maholmes; grandchildren, Jamal Morris, Patrick Maholmes, Marcellus Virgil, Jr., Morriah Hurston, Dy’lan Ervin; great grandchild, Marcellus Virgil, III; a very close and loving sister-in-law, Mary Banks; a very special cousin, Marjorie A. Beetles; nieces, nephews, in-laws, and a host of other relatives and friends. The Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Confidence Baptist Church. Pastor Chalton Askew officiated. Burial followed at Southview Cemetery.

Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

James Paul “Jim” Schafer

James Paul “Jim” Schafer was born September 27, 1957 in Sioux City, Iowa to Marvin and Mary “Pat” Schafer. He graduated from Bishop Heelan Catholic High School, Sioux City, Iowa class of 1976 and obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa in 1981. He was in the LED lighting industry for several years and was currently Key Account Manager for Osram Optio Semiconductors. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in LaGrange and was active in Knights of Columbus and Trail Life. Over the years he has been involved in Cursillo, Marriage Encounter and Lifeteen. He was married to Kerry Kooima Schafer for 38 years. They were married in Iowa and moved to Arizona in 1988 then to Georgia in 2011. He had two children: Eric James Schafer (wife April Haas Schafer), Milton, Florida and Leah Marie Schafer, Phoenix, Arizona. His sisters are Catherine Schafer Stokes (spouse Rich), Janet Schafer Anderson, Virginia “Ginger” Schafer Dunn and Patricia Schafer McKeever (spouse Russell). He has numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, his big laugh and warm smile welcomed everyone. He loved spending time working in the yard or following his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish football and Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling teams. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. A visitation was held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 10, 2017 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, Mesa, Arizona on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 11:00am. Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary.

Johnny Hancock

Mr. Johnny Hancock, age 68, of LaGrange, GA passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Roosevelt Warm Springs Hospital. Mr. Hancock was born April 17, 1948 in LaGrange, GA, son of the late John Byrd Hancock and Hazel Borders Hancock. Survivors include his wife, Linda Hancock; children, Rodney Waldroup (Donna) and Dwayne Hancock (Teresa); grandchildren, Alex Bryant (Josh), Abby Waldroup (Dylan Vallia), Whitney Hancock, Wesley Hancock, Taylor Shaver, and Nick Shaver; great grandchild, Colt Bryant; brothers, Mike Hancock (Lou) and Ronnie Hancock (Terri); brother-in-law, Jimmy Blair; several nieces and nephews; and special family friends, Liz Jones of West Georgia Physical Therapy and Candy Bates. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 10, 2017 in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with Reverend Brandon Brooks officiating. The gathering of family and friends will be on Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.